Chaib



` 6, 1 WELLER 1,876,479

CHAIR Filed March 2, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l J-ohw WELLER J. WELLER Sept. 6, 1932.

CHAIR 2 sheets-sheet A2 Filed March 2, 1952 ATTO NEX Patented Sept. 6, 1932 ,gli

Jenn WnnLnn'f-on WEST HoRsLEY, ENGLAND' Y,

oHAIn.

Applidation ledl March 2,51932,`Se'1"a11.-No. 596,357; and `in Great Britain January *16, .1931: v

This invention relates to Chairs of the'drindv comprising an open Eframe' serving' as aV support for a length oflflexible-materia-l'which constitutes the seat of the rchair,andt hasfoi itsiobjeet to providea chair of the abovety'pe whieh vcan Y adjusted readily in accordance' with' requirements.

According to the vpresent invention a chair of the above `kind `Com-prises" ya 'main Viframe includ-ing 'side members, *onel end of each fof which A rests on vthe ground,- and upper and lower transverse members 'extending between th'e'- si e v members, aV supporting `frame 1 oonneet t one end 'to an intermediate: pernt'in the 'side mem-b other end rests? on-tlie` grounehan intermediate transverse member extending between side members of" themainfr'ame, means een-mCiting;` the intermediate transverse member to the side members of "the mainframe and proviv Vingl an adjustment'oftheintermediate `member inthe ydirec'ztion of the length of the side members, and a lengthof iienible mater-iai extending' between andf supported byy the upper and @intermediate transverse members. Freierabiy tbe upper endsor" the side members of the: main frameare slotted to receive an upper transverse member #to which 'the uppery end of the flexible material isattaehed, the of this nppertransverse member engaging ina readilyremovable' but non-rotatable manner Ltheislots inthe upper ends of; the side members so :that byremoving the upper transverse member romvthe slots andv rotating'it so as either to'wind a portion of the `flexible material thereonorunwind'it notches, suchrmeans operating if 'deslred "by the ma.

'of the' main' yramewhile its reasonrot the'weight of an: individual :occupyingfthehehair.y Y v The :invention may be carried yinto practieein lvarious `ways but la number of. construetionsy according to this invention are-ih lustratedby Waver-'example' inthe accompanying drawings, inwwhieh F'gure'l' 1s asile 'elevationI of one :con-

struction of 'chair :accordingto this invention,-f; J o f y v Figure@ is a irontview ofthe chair, shown in Figure l,

Figure 3 isa detailed-viewsbowingin section' one end-of thel intermediate transverse' member employed in the chair shown in fFig` ures` 1 and 2 with the trunnion-lilze partfor engaging the lnotches* in the side members .of the main frame,- Y

Figure: is a section- :onthe line +4 of Figure 2,. and:

Figuresf, 6,17, 8 rand 9am-side elevations of-ive 'alternative formsfoii Chair aecording to' this invention.: f

In the .construetionlshown in Figures-1,1 2 3 and .fl'lthechair-comprises a; rectangular main1 frame comprising'sidev members A an upper vtransverse l`member; B and a lower transverse-member C'. Formed inthe 'upper end. of each'of. the side members A is a short longitudinal "slot/A1 of rectangular lcrosssection,I these# slots serving-to i yaceommodate the 'squared endswDL'ofan auxiliary'upper transverse-member D: tolwhieh is; connected one-end of Aa length yof flexible' material The endsfxDl of the memberyD engage the slots A1, freelyzso that the member ID @aube readily removed from these slots but when its endsfflie within the slots rotationofwthis member is lprevented. The lower end 'of the length of iiexiblefmaterial- E is connectedV to an intermediate transverse member Frof aps preeiable windthtas shown, this member being supportedI on the side members Aof the main frame by trunnions F1 'constructed :and 'arranged as shownz-n Figure f 3." trunnion is Vof hook-like form and the shank of the vtrunnion extends' within acyindr'ical bore in the :'mterm'ediate transverse member F and is provided'at its end with'a head 'F2'. Interposedl between this head 'F2 and a plate Thus, each 9 F2 which is secured to the intermediate member and is provided with an aperture through which the shank of the hook-like trunnion passes, is a spring F4 tending` always to move the hook-like trunnion F1 towards the intermediate transverse member F. rlhe end of the shank of each trunnion which extends outside the plate F3 is adapted to engage one or other of a series of notches A2 in the side members A of the main frame while the end F5 of each of the hooks passes partly round its adjacent side member A and engages the under surface of this side member so as normally to prevent disengagement of the shank of the hook-like trunnion F1 Vfrom the notch A2 in which it lies. When, however, it is desired to move each of the trunnions from one pair of notches A2 to another the hooklike trunnions can be partially withdrawn against the action of the springs F4 so as to free the ends F5 thereof from the under surfaces of the side members, when the trunnions can be disengaged from the side members. and can be placed thereon with the shank of the trunnion in whichever notch is desired.

The main frame A, B, C, is supported in an inclined position by a supporting frame G one end of which rests on the ground while its other end is connected by pivots G1 to the side members A, a stay or link G2, one end of which is pivoted at G3 to the side member A while its other end is connected to the frame G by a pin G4 engaging a slot G5 in the link, serving to limit the angle of the supporting frame G relatively to the main frame A, B, C, and yet to permit the supportingr frame G to be moved about its pivots G1 into close proximity to the main frame when the chair is not in use. The two side members of the supporting frame are connected by a cross framing G6. ln Figure 1 one position of the intermediate transverse member F and of the flexible material E constituting. the seat of the chair is shown in full lines while the dotted line El indicates an alternative position which this flexible material may occupy without moving the intermediate transverse member into a different notch but merely increasing the effective length ofthe flexible material by removing the upper transverse member D from its slots A1, rotating it somewhat so as to unwind therefrom a part of the flexible material and then replacing` it in its slots. A still further alternative position ofthe flexible material is indicated by the dotted line E2, the hook-like trunnions F1 on the intermediate member F in this case occupying different notches from those which they occupy in the other positions indicated.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 5 the main frame A, B, C, the supporting frame G, the connection thereof andthe arrangement of the subsidiary upper transverse niember are the same as for the chair illustrated in Figures l to 4. In the construction shown in Figure 5, however, the lower end of the flexible material is connected to an intermediate transverse member H carrying at its ends one pair of trunnions H1 which are adapted to engage the notches A2 in the side members of the main frame, and also a second pair of trunnions H2 which are adapted to lie beneath and engage the underside of the side members of the frame, the arrangement being such that the weight of an occupant of the chair will act through the flexible material. E to cause the intermediate member H to rock about the trunnions H1 so as to bring the trunnions H2 into en `sagement with the undersides of the side members of the frame as shown in full lines in Figure 5, thus preventing unintentional disengagement of the trunnion members H1 from the notches A2 which they occupy. lf,on the other hand, it is desired to move the intermediate transverse member H so Vas to cause the trunnions H1 to occupy a different pair of notches, this intermediate transverse member can be swung into the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5 when it can be moved in a direction at right angles to the length of the side members so as to cause disengagement of the trunnions H1 from their notches, whereupon the intermediate transverse member can be slid along the side members of the fra-me until the trunnions H1 occupy a different pair of notches.

In the construction illustrated inFigure 6 the chair comprises a rectangular' main frame comprising side members J and upper and lower transverse members J1, J2., this main frame being supported by a supporting frame G, G6 similar to the supporting frame employed in the constructions shown in Figures l, 2, 3, A and 5. Y In the construction shown in Figure 6 the upper end of the flexible material E is connected directly to the rigid upper transverse member J1 while its lower end is connected to van intermediate transverse member K which is supported on links K1 pivoted at K2 to an intermediate point in the side members of the frame, the ends of the intermediate transverse member extending through these links so that they will engage the upper surface of the side members of the frame both when the links occupy the position shown in full lines and also when these links occupy the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. It will thus be seen that the flexible material E can also occupy either the position shown in Vfull or in dotted lines.

ln the construction shown in Figure 7 the chair comprises a main frame A, B, C, and a supporting fra-me G constructed and arranged in substantially the same manner as the main and supporting frames in the construction shown in Figures l, 2, 3, t and 5. In the construction shown in Figure 7 the tu- `per end of the flexible material L is connected to the subsidiaryv transverse member B1 while its. lower end is 'connectedk to the rean end of anv approximatelyv rigid seat comprisingr rigidlside members L-lfbetween which extend slats Lathe-forward endet therigid seat carrying trunnions L3 which engage the the rigid seat can be movedginto the posi-4 tion indicated in dotted linesv by-'removing the memberl)1 from its slots, when it will be seen that` the trunnions L3 can be vdisengnged vfrom their slots and the ferward end of the-'rigid seat L1, Lz'can be slid along the sidemembers A, of the' i'rame, B, C, until these trunnions engage different: netches,

when'the 'seat LV1, L2 can again be raised into the' positienindica'ted in full lines. y

ln theconstruction shown in Figure. 8 the 'chair' comprises ainain frame J, 51,52, and

a supporting frame Gi, constructed and arranged in a manner similiar' to the main iramefand supporting frame in the. construction shown in Figure' 6. ln the construction shown inigure' 8, however, the lower end l or the'liexible material ,E is-seciiredl to a transverse member li/i rigidly secured to the side members of the frame, while nt an inten mediate point `in its length the iexible. material passes over an intermediate' adjustable transverse memberlll1 the; ends oitwhichen# gage notches A2 in the side members of the frame.v With* this arrangement it will be' seenthat by moving the intermediate trans-y versemember M1 from one pair otnotches` to' another,adjustment of the chair is pos-l siblle,'.while'whenthe' chairis occupied the force exerted on the` intermediate transverse member l 1' duel to thevweight of the 'occupant acting through the flexible material will tend to retain this intermediate Ytransverse member M1 in its notches.

Infthe construction illustrated in Figure 9 the'chiair comp-rises a main frame comprise ing -side members N, one end of each of which rests on the ground, and upper andlewer transverse members N1, N2' and a supperting` frame N3 rigidly connected'to the main frame;V Formed in the upper ends of the side members N ofthe main frame are slots N4 to/receive' a second Aupper transverse memberO having squared. ends which -glo slots l 4 in a readily removable but nou-rotatable manner, the arrangement being simiH lar-to that of the member B1 and slots [il in theconstruction shown in Figuresl, 2, 3 land 4.: Connected to theupper transversejmem-V en ea e the ber O is one'endof a length of flexible mat'e'rialE' the ether end of Vwhich is connected to an intermediate transverse member P of the saine general formv as thefinterinediate transverselmeniber F voft the construction shownin Figure" l exceptv that it has"v trunniens O1 rigidly connected to its endsrand adapted to engage slots N5fin the mainframe.

' vWhat l claim'as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :e

A chairincludingin combination a main rafmecOmpriSing side members, one endf of each of which rests on the ground, and'upper andflower transversev members extending between the side members, a-su'pportingframe, means for connectingoneend of the supporting frame to an intermediate point inthe side'membersl of the main framev while its 'A other `end -restso'n the ground, an intermediate transverse member extending' lbetween the .side'members ofthe main frame, means'connectingthe intermediateftransverse member to fthevside members oit'v the main frame'and providingI adjustinentk off the' intermediateV ported bythe upper and intermedia-te transf versefmcmbers:

p 2. A chair including in combination Val m'ain frame 'comprising side members',l one end' of each o'fwhich rests on the ground, andupper and lower Vtransverse membersextending between `the side members, a lsupporting fra-me,

. means for connecting' one'v end 'of they sup'- portng frame to an intermediatev point in the' mainframe vwhile litsIother end rests fon thefv ground, a'series of'spaced'notches being formed in' the side members of the main frame longitudinally thereof, an intermediate transverse* member extending between the side membersand havingpairts at its ends' which resti in a"pairof notches formed respectively inthe' two side* members of the main tranne the-intermediate 'transverse member being movabl'efrom one pair ofnotches to another whereby-'its position is adjustable relatively t0 themainframe, and a lei'igth` of flexible material the upper 'end of which is connected to the upper transverse member'whileits lower l'end is connected to the intermediate transverse member. f

3.' vA'chair including in combination a main frame comprising'side: members, one vend of each of which restson the ground whileits otherfend is provided with a slot, upper and lowerltransverse members extending between the-side members, the endsof the upper transverse member engaging inv a readily removable manner the slots in the upper ends of the sidel members andbeing non-rotatable therein, a supporting frame, means for connecting lone end of the supporting frame to anl intermediate point in4 the main frame while its othervend rests on the ground, a

series of spaced notches being formed in the side members of the main trame longitudinally thereof, an intermediate transverse member extending between the side members and having parts at its ends which rest in a pair ot notches formed respectively in the two side members of the main frame, the intermediate transverse member being movable from one pair of notches to another whereby its position is adjustable relatively to the main frame, and a length of flexible material the upper end of which is connected to the upper transverse memberV while its lower end is connected to the intermediate transverse member. i

4f. A chair including in combination a mainframe comprising side members, one lend of each oi which rests on the ground, and upper anc. lower transverse members eX- tending between the side members, a supporting trame, means for connecting one end of the supporting trame to an intermediate point in the main frame while its other end rests on the ground,v a series of spaced notches being formed in the upper face of each of the side members of the main trame, an intermediate transverse member extending between the side members and having parts at its ends which rest in a pair of notches formed respectively in the side members oic the main traine, the end parts being movable from one pair ot notches to another whereby the position of the intermediate transverse member is adjustable relatively to the main frame, a length of flexible material the upper end of which is connected to the upper transverse member while its lower end is connected to the intermediate transverse member, and members carried by and extending from the ends of the intermediate transverse member so as to lie adjacent to the undersides ot the side members of the main -frame and to be caused, by the movement of the intermediate member due to the weight of an occupant of the chair on the flexible material, to come into engagement with the undersides of the side members oi the main frame so as to prevent unintentional movement of the ends of the intermediate transverse member out of the notches.

A chair including in combination main trame comprising side members,` one end of each et which rests on the ground,

and lower transverse members exrme, :tor connecting one end supporting trame to intermediate the main trame while its other end the ground, spaced notches being formed in the upper suriace of each of the adapted to engage the notches in the adjacent side member, whereby the intermediate transverse member may be adjusted along the length of the side member, while the lower trunnion is adapted to engage the under surface or the side member to prevent unintentional movement ot the upper trunnions out et the notches, and a length of flexible material the upper end of which is connected to the upper transverse member while its lower end is connected to the intermediate transverse member.

G. il chair including in combination a main trame comjiirising side members, one end of eaclot which rests on the ground while its other end is provided with a slot, upper and lower transverse members extending between the si de members, the ends of the upper transverse member engaging in al readily removable manner the slots in the upper ends of t ie side members and being non-rotatable therein, a supporting frame, means for connecting one end of the supporting frame to an intermediate point in the main frame wl ile its other end rests on the ground, notches being formed in the upper surface ot the side members of the main Jframe, an intermediate transverse member which exten-ds between the side members of the main frame, an upper trunnion extending from each end et the intermediate transverse member and engaging a notch in the adjacent side member, whereby the intermediate transverse member may be adjusted along the length of the side members, a length 01"' i'lexibie material the upper end ot which isconnected to the upper transverse member while its lower end is connected to the intermediate transverse member, and a lower trunnion extending from each end ot the intermediate transverse member so as to lie beneath the adjacent side I member and, by reason of movement of the intermediate transverse member caused by the weight of an occupant ot the chair on the flexible material, being brought into engagement with the under surface ot the side member so as to prevent unintentional movement of the upper trunnion members out of their notches.

7. A chair including in combination a main frame comprising side members, one end of each et which rests on the ground while its other end is provided with a slot, upper and lower transverse members extending between the side members, the ends of the upper transverse member engaging in a readily removable manner the slots in the upper ends of the side members and being non-rotatable therein, a supporting iframe, means for connecting one end of the supporting frame pivotally to an intermediate point in the main frame while its other end rests on the ground, links connecting the main frame and supporting frame and limiting the angular movement of the supporting frame relatively to the main Aics frame notches beine' formed inthe u erv surface of the side members of the main frame, an intermediate transverse member which extends between the side members of the main frame, an upper trunnion extending from each end of the intermediate transverse member and engaging a notch in the adjacent side member, a length of flexible material the upper end of which is connected to the upper transverse member while its lower end is connected to the intermediate transverse member, and a lower trunnion extending` from each end of the intermediate transverse member so as to lie beneath the adjacent side member and, by reason of movement of the intermediate transverse member caused by the weight of an occupant of the chair on the flexible material, being brought into engagement with the under surface of the side member so as to prevent unintentional movement of the upper trunnion members `out of the notches.

8. A chair including in combination a main frame comprising sine members, one end of each of which rests on the ground, and upper and lower transverse members extending betw'en theside members, a supporting frame, means for connecting one end of the supporting frame to an intermediate point in the main frame while its other end rests on the ground, a series of notches being formed in the upper surface of each of the side members of the main frame, an intermediate trans-V verse member extending between the` side members and forming a rigid seat, trunnions extending laterally from the forward end of the intermediate transverse member and engaging in a pair of notches in the side members of the main frame, whereby the int-ermediate transverse member is adjustable in the direction of the length of the side members and a length of flexible material the upper end of which is connected to the upper transverse member while its lower end is connected to the rear end of the intermediate transverse member. v

9. A chair including in combination a main frame comprising side members, one end of each of which rests on the ground while other end is provided. with a slot, upper and lower transverse members extending between the members, the ends ofthe upper transverse member engaging in a readily removable manner the slots in the upper ends of the side members and being non-rotatable therein,

a supporting frame, means for connecting one end of the supporting frame to an` intermediate point in the main frame while its other end rests on thev ground, a series of notches being formed in the upper surface of each of the side members of the main frame, an intermediate transverse member extending be tween the side members and forming a rigid sean-'trunnions extendinglaterally from the forward end of the intermediate transverse tlieside Wneilibers ofthe main frame, whereby the intermediate transverse member is adjustable inthe direction of the length of the sidemembers and adength of flexible ma;

terial the upper 'end of which is connected to the upper transverse member while its low-v er end Vis yconnected to therear end of the intermediate transverse member.

.- 4.10. .A chair includingv in combination a main frame comprising side members, one end of each ofwhichrests on the ground, and upper and lower transi'ferse'members entend ing betweenthejside'members, a supporting frame, means for connecting one end of the supporting frame tov an intermediate point in the main frame while its other' end rests on the ground, a series of notches being formed in the upper face of each of the side members of the main frame, van intermediate transverse lmember extending between the side members, trunnions extending laterally from the ends of theintermediate transverse membei', springs interposed between the trunnions and the intermediate transverse member to move the trunnions axially towards one another, each trunnion being of hook-like form,

the shank of the hoolr engaging a notch in the adjacent side member of the main frame while the end of the hook extends beneath the sidemember of this main frame and prevents engagement with the notch while permitting such disengagement when the trunnion is moved bodily outwards against the action of its spring, Vand a length of flexible material the upper endvof `which is connected to the upper transverse member while its lower end is connected tothe intermediate transverse member.

11. A chair including in combination a main frame comprising side members, one end of each of which/rests on the ground while its other end is provided with a slot, upperand lower transversemembers entending between the side members, the ends of the upper transverse member engaging in a readily removable manner the slots in the upper ends of the side members and being nonrotatable therein, a supporting frame, means for connecting one end yof the supporting frame to an intermediate point in the main frame while its other end rests on the ground,

a series of notches being formed in the upper faces of the side members of the main frame, an intermediate transverse member lextending between the side members, trunmemberfanfd engaging ina pair of notches in r`unintentional movement of the shank out of termediate transverse member to move the y trunnions axially towards one another, each trunnion being of hook-lilre form, the shank of the hook engaging a notch in the adjacent side memberof the' main frame while the end of the hook' extends beneath the side member of this main frame and prevents unintentional movement of the shank out of engagement with the notch while permitting' such disengagement when the trunn'ion is' moved bodily outwards against the action of its spring, and a length of flexible material the upper end of which is connected to the npper transverse member while its lower end is connected to the intermediate transverse member.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN WELLER. 

